WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

S. 216 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-65

Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act

Became lawPublic Lands and Natural Resources
IntroducedJan 23, 2025
Passed SenateMay 20, 2025
Passed HouseDec 15, 2025
To PresidentDec 18, 2025
Became lawDec 26, 2025

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

S. 216 changed 3 sections of existing law, and created 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text in its final form, as sent to the President.

Public Law 109-449 An earlier law, changed directly

33 U.S.C. 1952 NOAA Marine Debris Program

  • (d) Grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts added to · Sec. 2(b) · see the words

Public Law 116-224 An earlier law, changed directly

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 6 Conforming amendments
What the words changed: every change, in place (38)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what was struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. Public Law 109-449added Aby S. 216 Sec. 2(a)

    A NOAA And Coast Guard Programs.—

    The bill says: by inserting before section 3 the following:

  2. Public Law 109-449renumberedby S. 216 Sec. 2(a)

    The bill says: by redesignating sections 3 through 6 as sections 101 through 104, respectively.

  3. 33 U.S.C. 1952(d)changedby S. 216 Sec. 2(b)

    The bill says: in the subsection heading by striking "AND CONTRACTS" and inserting "CONTRACTS, AND OTHER AGREEMENTS";

  4. 33 U.S.C. 1952(d)(1)changedby S. 216 Sec. 2(b)

    (1) In general. The Administrator, acting through the Program, shall enter into cooperative agreements and contracts, contracts, and other agreements and provide financial assistance in the form of grants for projects to accomplish the purpose set forth in section 1951 of this title.

    The bill says: in paragraph (1) by striking "and contracts" and inserting ", contracts, and other agreements";

  5. 33 U.S.C. 1952(d)(2)(B)changedby S. 216 Sec. 2(b)

    The bill says: by striking "part of the" and inserting "part of a"; and

  6. 33 U.S.C. 1952(d)(2)(B)changedby S. 216 Sec. 2(b)

    The bill says: by inserting "or (C)" after "subparagraph (A)"; and

  7. 33 U.S.C. 1952(d)(2)(C)changedby S. 216 Sec. 2(b)

    The bill says: in subparagraph (C) in the matter preceding clause (i) by inserting "and except as provided in subparagraph (B)" after "subparagraph (A)"; and

  8. 33 U.S.C. 1952(d)added (7)by S. 216 Sec. 2(b)

    (7) In-kind contributions.— With respect to any project carried out pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered into under paragraph (1) that is not a cooperative agreement or an agreement to provide financial assistance in the form of a grant, the Under Secretary may contribute on an in-kind basis the portion of the costs of the project that the Under Secretary determines represents the amount of benefit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration derives from the project.

    The bill says: by adding at the end the following:

  9. Public Law 109-449(a)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(b)

    The bill says: Section 111(a) of the Marine Debris Act (Public Law 109–449), as transferred by this Act, is amended, in the second sentence, by striking "organization" and inserting "corporation".

  10. Public Law 109-449(b)(3)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(c)

    The bill says: in paragraph (3) by inserting "Indian Tribes," after "Tribal governments,"; and

  11. Public Law 109-449(b)(4)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(c)

    The bill says: in paragraph (4) by striking "title II" and inserting "subtitle C".

  12. Public Law 109-449(b)renumberedby S. 216 Sec. 3(d)

    The bill says: by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as paragraphs (2) through (6) respectively;

  13. Public Law 109-449(b)added (1)by S. 216 Sec. 3(d)

    (1) Recommendations of board regarding appointments.— For appointments made under paragraph (2), the Board shall submit to the Under Secretary recommendations on candidates for appointment.

    The bill says: by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the following:

  14. Public Law 109-449(b)(2)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(d)

    The bill says: by striking "and considering" and inserting "considering"; and

  15. Public Law 109-449(b)(2)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(d)

    The bill says: by inserting "and with the approval of the Secretary of Commerce," after "by the Board,";

  16. Public Law 109-449(b)rewrittenby S. 216 Sec. 3(d)

    The bill says: by amending paragraph (3), as redesignated, to read as follows:

  17. Public Law 109-449(b)(4)(A)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(d)

    The bill says: in paragraph (4)(A), as redesignated, by inserting "with the approval of the Secretary of Commerce" after "the Board"; and

  18. Public Law 109-449(b)(6)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(d)

    The bill says: by inserting "the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development," after "Service,"; and

  19. Public Law 109-449(b)(6)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(d)

    The bill says: by inserting "and with the approval of the Secretary of Commerce" after "EPA Administrator".

  20. Public Law 109-449(g)(1)(A)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(d)

    The bill says: in paragraph (1)(A) by striking "officers and employees" and inserting "the initial officers and employees"; and

  21. Public Law 109-449(g)(2)(B)(i)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(d)

    The bill says: in paragraph (2)(B)(i) by striking "its chief operating officer" and inserting "the chief executive officer of the Foundation".

  22. Public Law 109-449added (h)by S. 216 Sec. 3(d)

    (h) Chief executive officer.—(1) Appointment; removal; review.— The Board shall appoint and review the performance of, and may remove, the chief executive officer of the Foundation.(2) Powers.— The chief executive officer of the Foundation may appoint, remove, and review the performance of any officer or employee of the Foundation.

    The bill says: Section 112 of the Marine Debris Act (Public Law 109–449), as transferred by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:

  23. Public Law 109-449(c)(1)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(e)

    The bill says: by inserting "nonprofit" before "corporation"; and

  24. Public Law 109-449(c)(1)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(e)

    The bill says: by striking "acting as a trustee" and inserting "formed".

  25. Public Law 109-449added (g)by S. 216 Sec. 3(f)

    (g) Principal office.— The Board shall locate the principal office of the Foundation in the National Capital Region, as such term is defined in section 2674(f)(2) of title 10, United States Code, or a coastal shoreline community.

    The bill says: Section 113 of the Marine Debris Act (Public Law 109–449), as transferred by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:

  26. Public Law 109-449(a)(1)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(h)

    The bill says: in paragraph (1), by inserting "and $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2025" after "through 2024"; and

  27. Public Law 109-449(a)(2)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(h)

    The bill says: in paragraph (2), by striking "and State and local government agencies" and inserting ", State and local government agencies, regional organizations, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and foreign governments".

  28. Public Law 109-449(a)changedby S. 216 Sec. 3(i)

    The bill says: Section 9(a) of the Marine Debris Act (Public Law 109–449) is amended by striking "for" the first place it appears and all that follows through "carrying out" and inserting "for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2029 for carrying out".

  29. Public Law 109-449added Dby S. 216 Sec. 4(b)

    D Administration.—

    The bill says: by inserting before section 131, as so transferred and redesignated, the following:

  30. Public Law 109-449removedby S. 216 Sec. 5(a)

    The bill says: by striking paragraph (1);

  31. Public Law 109-449renumberedby S. 216 Sec. 5(a)

    The bill says: by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) as paragraphs (5), (6), (7), (11), (12), and (13), respectively;

  32. Public Law 109-449added (1)by S. 216 Sec. 5(a)

    (1) Circular economy.— The term "circular economy" has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (Public Law 116–224).(2) Coastal shoreline community.— The term "coastal shoreline community" means a city or county directly adjacent to the open ocean, major estuaries, or the Great Lakes.(3) EPA administrator.— The term "EPA Administrator" has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (Public Law 116–224).(4) Indian Tribe.— The term "Indian Tribe" has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

    The bill says: by inserting before paragraph (5), as so redesignated, the following:

  33. Public Law 109-449added (9)by S. 216 Sec. 5(a)

    (9) Nonprofit organization.— The term "nonprofit organization" has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (Public Law 116–224).(10) Post consumer materials management.— The term "post-consumer materials management" has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (Public Law 116–224).

    The bill says: by inserting before paragraph (11), as so redesignated, the following:

  34. Public Law 109-449added (14)by S. 216 Sec. 5(a)

    (14) Tribal Government.— The term "Tribal Government" means the recognized governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, component band, or component reservation, individually identified (including parenthetically) in the list published most recently as of the date of the enactment of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act pursuant to section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131).(15) Tribal organization.— The term "Tribal organization" has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).(16) Under secretary.— The term "Under Secretary" has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (Public Law 116–224).

    The bill says: by inserting after paragraph (13), as so redesignated, the following:

  35. Public Law 109-449(13)renumberedby S. 216 Sec. 5(a)

    The bill says: by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) as subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E); and

  36. Public Law 109-449(13)added (B)by S. 216 Sec. 5(a)

    (B) Indian Tribe;

    The bill says: by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:

  37. Public Law 116-224renumberedby S. 216 Sec. 5(b)

    The bill says: Section 2 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (Public Law 116–224) is amended by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (11) as paragraphs (7) through (10), respectively.

  38. Public Law 109-449changedby S. 216 Sec. 5(c)

    The bill says: Paragraph (8)(D) of section 131 of the Marine Debris Act (Public Law 109–449), as transferred and redesignated by this Act, is amended by striking "(as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304))".

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act

This bill reauthorizes and modifies administration of Marine Debris Program (MDP) activities and the Marine Debris Foundation. (The program and the foundation support efforts to assess, prevent, and otherwise address marine debris and its adverse impacts on the U.S. economy, the marine environment, and navigation safety.)

First, the bill reauthorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Marine Debris Program through FY2029. The bill authorizes NOAA to provide contributions for MDP project costs on an in-kind basis in an amount that NOAA determines represents the value it derives from the project. The bill also authorizes NOAA to enter into agreements other than cooperative agreements, contracts, and grant agreements for projects.

Next, the bill modifies requirements for the Marine Debris Foundation and reauthorizes it for FY2025. Among other changes, the bill designates the current Chief Operating Officer (i.e., the first officer or employee appointed by the board) as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and specifies that the board has the authority to appoint, review the performance of, and remove the CEO. The bill authorizes the CEO to appoint, supervise, and remove foundation employees and officers.

Further, the bill directs the foundation to develop and implement best practices for conducting outreach to Indian tribes and tribal governments. The foundation must locate its principal office in the National Capital Region or a coastal shoreline community.

Finally, the bill authorizes the foundation to match contributions from regional organizations, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and foreign governments.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Passed Senate, May 20, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. 2025-12-26Became Public Law No: 119-65.Library of Congress
  2. 2025-12-26Became Public Law No: 119-65.Library of Congress
  3. 2025-12-26Signed by President.Library of Congress
  4. 2025-12-26Signed by President.Library of Congress
  5. 2025-12-18Presented to President.House floor actions
  6. 2025-12-18Presented to President.Library of Congress
  7. 2025-12-15Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  8. 2025-12-15On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.House floor actions
  9. 2025-12-15Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.Library of Congress
  10. 2025-12-15DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 216.House floor actions
  11. 2025-12-15Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5867-5869)House floor actions
  12. 2025-12-15Mr. Johnson (SD) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
  13. 2025-05-26Held at the desk.House floor actions
  14. 2025-05-26Received in the House.House floor actions
  15. 2025-05-23Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  16. 2025-05-20Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3001-3002; text: CR S3001-3002)Senate
  17. 2025-05-20Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.Library of Congress
  18. 2025-04-08Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 40.Senate
  19. 2025-04-08Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-12.Senate
  20. 2025-04-08Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-12.Library of Congress
  21. 2025-02-05Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.Senate
  22. 2025-01-23Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.Senate
  23. 2025-01-23Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

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After it became law

Sourced

Nothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-65 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.

Cosponsors

  • Sheldon Whitehouse D-RI